Tool for tensioning and cutting binding straps



June 10, 1952 J. w. DUNBAR TOOL FOR TENSIONING AND CUTTING BINDING STRAPS 2 SHEETSSHEET l INVENTOR pilzlL owfv @L4L&aw/

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Filed Jan. 4, 1950 I \l (I I I I I I l I I l I ll QM Hm r u m ARV Mu a L AYLII- :71 AW: II- MMWL w \HIA I I 5w a w 0 AN 2 MW June 10, 19 J. w. DUNBAR TOOL FOR TENSIONING AND CUTTING BINDING STRAPS 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Jan. 4, 1950 INVENTOR.

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Patented June 10, 1952 TOOL'FOR- TENSIONING'AND CUTTING BINDING STRAPS Jack W. Dunbar, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor "to Allegheny Steel Band Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 4, 1950, Serial No. 136,719

11 Claims.

This invention relates to tools for stretching flexible metal straps around articles-to bind them, and more particularly to such a tool equipped to cut 01f the portion of the strap extending beyond the point at which it is attached to the opposite end of the strap.

In one type of strap tensioning tool the binding strap is stretched bya windless which is rotated by a'ratchet wheel turned periodically by an oscillatable handle. For certain reasons it is desirable that the operating handle be swung'forward as far as possible during each operating stroke, but it also is a great convenience to be able to use the handle for operating a shear for cutting off the portion of the strap wound on the windlass after the strap has been tensioned and itsoverlapping portions sealed together. This double use of the operating handle presents a problem.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a strap tensioning and cutting toolso constructed and arranged that its'operating handle can make long operating strokes and yet, when desired, can be used to operate the shear. Another object is to provide such a tool in which, byasimple manual manipulation, the operating handle can be put in condition for shear operation and simultaneously be disconnected from the ratchet wheel.

In accordance with this invention one end of a'flexible metal binding strap (either a flat band or a wire) is anchored by a gripper supported by a tool base that rests against the object that is to be bound. The strap extends around that object and has its other end engaged by 'a rotatable member, such as a Windlass, that also is supported-by the tool base. The Windlass is rotated, for winding up the strap, by means of a ratchet wheel which is turned by an actuating pawl carried by an oscillatable operating handle when the handle is swung "forward. A check pawL'supp'orted'by the baseyprevents reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung backward. Supported by the tool base in front of the Windlass is a shear that is adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap-attached to'the-windlass. The tool is provided with manuallyoperable means for withdrawing the -oper-- ating pawl from the ratchet wheel afterthestrap has been tensioned and the seal has been applied in front of the shear, and for projecting an abutment laterally from the handle. Then, when the handle is swung forward, it does not turn the ratchet wheel, but the projecting abutment strikes and moves means by which the shear is operated to cut the strap extending'through it.

As'soon as the abutment is withdrawnfrom operative position and the actuating pawl'i'sallowed to engage the ratchet wheel again, the tool is ready to stretch thenext strap. Preferably-these movements of the actuating pawl and shear 'openating abutment are controlled by a "single rotatable knob.

The preferred embodiment of this invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, *in which "Fig. 1 is'a side view of the toolfshowing the extreme forward position of the operating handle in broken lines; Fig. 2 is a plan view" of the tool; Fig. 3 is a reduced frontend' view; Fig.4 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 2, showingthe-operatinghandle in shear-operating positionjFig. 5 'in'a'fragmentary detail in section showing the actuating pawl held in inoperative position; and Fig. "6'is.

a View of the inside of one of the knobs.

Referring to the-drawings, the'tool has a substantially-flat'base I provided integrally with an upstanding side wall 2 and a laterally spaced central wall' 3. These two walls are provided with aligned bearing openings in which'aheavy shaft 4 is journale'd. Rigidly mounted on the'en'd of this shaft disposed in side wall 2 is a knob 6 for turning the shaft at certain times, as will be described later. The opposite end of the shaft extends through the central wall 3 and across the underlying base, and is provided with a slot 1 extending inwardly from its outer end and diametrically through it. This slotted portion-of the shaft forms a Windlass on which one endof'a flexible binding strap can be wound. I

For rotating the Windlass when a strap is attached to it,'a ratchet wheel '8 is rigidly mounted on shaft 4 between the two walls 2 and 3, from both of which the wheel isspaced. Anoperatin'g handle 9 is provided for turning the ratchet wheel. This handle has a forked inner end that straddles the ratchet wheel, with its forks pivotally mountedon the windlass shaft on opposite sides of the wheel. The handle, therefore, can be swung forward and backward around the shaft. When it is swung forward toward the broken line position shown in Fig. 1 it turns the ratchet wheel by means of an actuating pawl l I that is mounted between the handle forks on a pivot pin l2 extending through them. 'The front end ofthe pawlis pressed against the-teeth of the ratchet wheel by means of a coil spring l3 mounted in a socket in the handle behind the pawl. To keep the ratchet wheel from turning-in reverse direction when th'e'handle is 'swung bfack 2,eoo,224

ward and the actuating pawl is sliding over the teeth, a pair of check pawls I15 and I6 are pivotally mounted near the base on a pivot pin secured in walls 2 and 3. The outer ends of the check pawls are urged upward by means of coil springs i'l projecting from sockets in the base. The inner end of check pawl i5 is half a tooth higher than the other one so that every time the ratchet teeth are moved ahead a distance equal to one-half the width of a tooth, one or the other of the check pawls will snap in below a tooth to prevent reverse rotation of the wheel. Thus, by using two check pawls the same effect is obtained as would be produced by a single check pawl engaging a ratchet wheel of the same size having twice as many teeth as the one disclosed.

Disposed behind the Windlass is an inclined gripper 2! which is rigidly mounted on a shaft 22 extending through a bearing in the rear portion of the central wall 3. On the other side of the wall the shaft is rigidly connected to a rearwardly extending lever 23. Engaging the bottom of this lever is a vertical plunger 24 that is slidably mounted in a vertical socket 26 in the central wall. The plunger is pressed against the lever by means of a compression spring 27- compressed between the bottom of the socket and the plunger. Due to the inclination of the gripper, rearward pull on a binding strap extending between the gripper and the base will increase the pressure of the gripper on the strap. The gripper can be released from a strap at any time by pressing down on lever 23, which will swing the gripper forward and upward.

In use, one end of a binding strap is slipped between the gripper and base and extended forward from the front of the base far enough to receive a conventional seal. The rest of the strap, extending from the rear end of the base, is wrapped around the object to be bound and is brought back over the forwardly projecting anchored end of the strap. The outer or upper end of the strap is inserted in the slot '1 in the Windlass, which can be turned by knob 6 to position the slot for this purpose. At such times the pawls are withdrawn from the ratchet wheel to permit it to be turned freely. The check pawls l5 and it are withdrawn by pressing down on the operating handle so that a boss 28 on the bottom of the handle will swing the outer ends of the pawls downward. The actuating pawl is retracted in a manner that will be described presently. After the strap has been inserted in the windlass slot the operating handle 9 is swung forward and backward enough times to wind the strap on the Windlass until the strap has been drawn tightly around the article it surrounds. Any suitable seal then can be clamped on the overlapping portions of the strap in front of the base to fasten them together. It is a feature of this invention that after the seal has been applied, the short length of strap between it and the Windlass is severed so that the tool and the portion of the strap wound on the Windlass can be removed from the bound article.

Accordingly, a shear is mounted in front of the Windlass. The shear includes a block 3| that is attached to central wall 3 and that extends across the base I. The major portion of the block is spaced just far enough from the base to permit the anchored end of the strap to extend between them. The lower portion of the block is provided with a slot 32 extending through it from front to rear and having an open outer end to permit the upper portion of the strap to be inserted edgewise into it. The front edge of the part of the block below the slot serves as a stationary blade for the shear. Above the slot the block projects in front of the slot and is provided with a recess in which the movable blade 34 of the shear can slide up and down. The blade is held in the block by a cover plate 36 attached to the front of it by screws 31. The upper end of the movable blade has a rearwardly extending bracket 36 attached to it. This bracket projects into an open front vertical slot 39 and rests on top of a coil spring 60 that urges the blade upward. Upward movement of the blade is limited by a cam 41 rigidly mounted on a horizontal shaft 42 that is rotatably mounted in the top of the shear block and extends entirely through the central wall. The shaft projects from the ratchet side of the wall and has an upwardly extending lever 43 rigidly mounted on it. The wall around this shaft is provided with an annular recess in which a torsion spring 44 is mounted. One end of the spring projects from this recess and across the front face of the lever to swing the lever backward. However, cam 41 may be shaped in such a way that the pressure of the movable blade against its bottom will swing it upward and thereby swing th lever backward without the help of a torsion spring.

During strap tensioning the operating handle 9 can be swung forward and down past shear lever 43 without striking it. Consequently, the lever does not interfere with long strokes of the handle while the strap is being stretched. However, the construction of the tool is such that after tensioning has been completed, the handle can be used for swinging the shear lever forward to cause cam 4| to force the movable blade down against the strap for shearing it against the stationary lower blade of the shear. In order to do this it is necessary to be able to swing the handle forward without turning the Windlass. Accordingly, a horizontal shaft 5! is rotatably mounted in the handle directly behind the actuating pawl II. The central portion of this shaft is exposed between the two forks of the handle and is located so close to the ratchet wheel that it has to be recessed to receive the rear part of the actuating pawl so that the front end of the pawl can engage the teeth of the wheel. However, if the shaft is turned, its unrecessed portion will slide into contact with the pawl and swing its rear part forward, thereby withdrawing the pawl from the ratchet wheel teeth. When this is done the operating handle can be swung forward without turning the ratchet wheel. By recessing two opposite sides of the shaft it has to be turned only degrees in either direction to move the pawl either into or out of engagement with the ratchet teeth. The shaft therefore is provided with a central cam portion provided with parallel fiat sides 52, as shown in Fig. 5.

For turning shaft 5 I its outer end projects from the handle and has a knob 53 rigidly mounted on it. The inner surface of the knob is provided at two diametrically opposite points with shallow depressions 54 (Figs. 1 and 6) for receiving the outer end of a pin 55 that is slidably mounted in a passage 57 extending horizontally through the handle behind shaft 5 i. The pin is urged outward by a coil spring 58 encircling it and compressed between a shoulder on the pin and a shoulder near the inner end Of the passage. When the forward as -shown=inFig. 4. This-will swingthe lever forward and-cam H downward and thus cause the shear to cutthestrap extendingthrough slot 32.

-It-wil1be observed that pin 56 is never projected into shear operating position exceptrwhen actuating pawl H is withdrawn from theratchet, wheel. I-Fherefore, the windlasswis :never turned when the operating handle is swung forward'lto cut-the'strap. After thestrap has beencutpknob 53 -can be turned 90 degrees in either direction so -that the :pin-will be retracted by '-;its: spring 58; and --'the actuating pawl will-be permitted to engage the ratchetxteethagain, ready for tensioningthe=next-strap. After the strap has beencut', itis an easy matter *to press down on gripper lever 23 to release gripper zl from the strap so that the tool can be removed from ithe binding strapand thebound object.

According vtothe provisions of the :patent' statutes, I have explained the principle oflmy invention and have illustrated and described :whatrr now consider to represent its best embodiment. However, I --desire -to have it understood that,

within'thescope-of the appended claims, the-:in-

vention may be practiced otherwise :than :as specificallyillustratedand described.

{claim-1 1. A tensioning and cutting tool for fi'ex'ihle binding straps, comprising a hase adapted t-o =res't against an object 'to' be bound; a gripper'supportedby-the-base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a rotatable member supported "by the *base for putting the 'other end of *the strap-undentension, a ratchet wheel for turning said member, anoscilla'table 'operating handle, an actuating-pawl carried' by said :handle for turning theratchet wheel when the handle is swung-forward, -a check pawl supportedby said-baseforpreventingrevense-rotation of theratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in "front-of said rotatable 'memberand adaptedto straddle the-endportion of 1 the strap attached to J said member, an abutment movabl-y supported 'by said :handle .andnormally-"disposed in retracted position relative thereto, :manuall'y operable means ffor withdrawing said-actuating pawl from .the ratchet wheel after the :straphas beenitensioned and for .projeotingsaid abutment laterally fromsaid -handle, and means engaged and .actuated'zby said projecting abutment when the handle ds swung forward "for operating .the shearntdcuttthe. strap.

'2; A ,tensioni-ng and: cutting tool for flexible binding, straps, comprising- -a besaadapted to :rest againstnnpbjectztozbeihound; a grippersupported by *thecbase and.;.adapted;to anchor one :endvof': a bindingstrap extending'aroundrsaid nhiect, a Windlass. supported by the base; .tiQr winding-11 n theaother'end ot' thestraptoztensien ituazratchet.

whee1rfor-turning :the' windlassmanie-oscillatable operating handle, :an actuating :pawl:carriedcbysaidhan'cll-e for turning the ratchet wheelrwhen; th -EhandIe is swung -:'forwar.d, ,ancheck pawl: supported shy "said base-41901-:preventi11g-;reverse mutation of rthetratchet wheel, a shear supported flay thelbase infrontof thexwindlass and adapted :to:

straddle :the end :portion. of :the strap attachedato the Windlass, .a rotatable =cam rfor:moving:,ssaid. actuating xpawl away from the ratchet *wheelaa manually rrotatable member connected ,tDrlSfiid cam for fturning :it t after the-strap -hasibeemtemsioned, an abutment :adapted. .to be projected laterally .from .=said:':handlewhen: the actuating" pawl is :withdrawn fromithe ratchetiwheehiand means engaged and zactuatedbyz-said proiecting abutment .whenzthehandle is sswungtforwardzfor operating-the-shearto cutlthe strap.

:3. Inna :tensioning :and. cutting :tool for :fl'exihle binding straps, the combination with, :a base adapted to rest against; an Lobj ect .to :be-zbound, 1a. gripper supported by the base and adapted atop anchor one end of 1a binding-strap extending around saidiobject, 6,3RWiIId1fiSS5SUl1POIItEd. :by :Ithe

base for :winding aupsthe otherzend of .the 13322]! to itension fit, :a ratchet wheel for :turning. the Windlass, an osciIlatableoperating; "handle; v:an actuating pawl =-carried by said'zha-ndle a'for stumi-ng the ratchet wheel :whenthe handle is :swung:

forward, =andva check pawl supported by said: base:fot preventingmeverserotationofthezraitchet wheel, of :a shear supported by .the-rb aselin zfront,

of: the @windlass and .adapted :to straddle :the send I portion-of xthestrap attachedtoe-the .windlass; .aw

;, normally retracted abutment carried by said handle; manually operable means for withdrawsaidaactuatingpawl from l-the :ratchet: wheelafterathe :strap Ehas ibeenatensioned :and. for substantially simultaneously projecting :said' .:abut-- ment -.l'aterally from the handle, and means en-- gaged' and actuated by zsaid projecting abutmentwhen the handle is :swungzforward for operating the shear- 170 cutthe-strap.

4". Inaitensioning :andl cutting rtool iforv'flexible binding .straps, the combination: with a base adapted torest againstanobjeot to-sbe bound, :2 gripper'ssupported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of .a :binding strap extending: around sai-dobiect, a 'windlass supported by. :the

} base ffor winding :up the other .end of the strap to-Etension it, a ratchet vwheel for turning the Windlass, an oscillatable operatinghandle, an actuating pawLcarried by said handle forkturning the ratdhetzwhel When the handle iis swungfor ward, and a-check pawl-supported by :said ibase for preventing reverse rotation :of the ratchet wheel, of arshear supported by the base in tron'tof the Windlass and adapteolto straddle-the endipor tion of: :the strap attached to the Windlass; a normally" retracted abutment carried by said handle, manually operable means Ifor withdraw-e ing said actuating pawl from the ratchet "wheel after the strap has been tensioned and having a camssurface for forcing said'abutment to-qprm ject'elaterally from the-handle, and means :en-- gagedend actuated by said projecting :abutment when ithe handle is swung forward for operating the-shear tocut the strap.

55; :A itensioning and .cuttingtool for flexible binding straps, comprising a' base ad'aptedito rest against anobject 130i be bound,:atgrippersupported;

by ztlrebasesand adaptedttouianchor-one endiioffia; hindingzstrap extending aroundilsaid sobject, a

Windlass supportedbycthe i-base-ii'orwinding am the rather iend-zof-utheastran tcitensiemit. 1a.: ratchet wheel for turning the Windlass, an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle for turning the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung forward, a check pawl supported by said base for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of the Windlass and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to the Windlass, a rotatable cam for moving said actuating pawl away from the ratchet wheel, a manually rotatable member connected to said cam for turning it after the strap has been tensioned, said member having a cam surface, a pin slidably mounted transversely in said handle with one of its ends adjacent said member, said cam surface being adapted to force the opposite end of the pin out of the handle when said member is turned to withdraw the actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel, and means engaged and actuated by the projecting pin when the handle is swung forward for operating the shear to cut the strap.

6. A tensioning and cutting tool for flexible binding straps, comprising a base adapted to rest against an object to be bound, a gripper supported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a Windlass supported by the base for winding ,up the other end of the strap to tension it, a ratchet wheel for turning the Windlass, an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle for turning the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung forward, a check pawl supported by said base for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of the Windlass and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to the Windlass, manually rotatable means for withdrawing said actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel after the strap has been tensioned, said rotatable means including a cam surface, a pin slidably mounted transversely in said handle, a spring normally projecting one end of the pin into engagement with said cam surface, whereby upon turning of said rotatable means to withdraw the actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel said cam surface will slide the pin through the handle and project its opposite end from the opposite side of the handle, and means engaged and actuated by said projecting opposite end of the pin when the handle is swung forward for operating the shear to cut the strap,

7. A 'tensioning and cutting tool for flexible binding straps, comprising a base adapted to rest against an object to be bound, a gripper supported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a Windlass supported by the base for winding up the other end of the strap to tension it, a ratchet wheel for turning the Windlass, an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle for turning the ratchet whee-1 when the handle is swung forward, a check pawl supported by said base for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of the Windlass and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to the Windlass, a shaft rotatably mounted transversely in said handle and projecting from one side of it, the shaft having a cam portion engaging said actuating pawl, a knob rigidly mounted on the projecting end-of the shaft for turning it to withdraw the actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel after the strap has been tensioned, the inner surface of' said knob being provided with a cam surface, a pin slidably mounted in the handle beside said shaft, a spring urgin one end of the pin against said cam surface, whereby when the knob is turned to withdraw the actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel said cam surface will s ide the opposite end of the pin out of the opposite side of the handle, and means engaged and actuated by said projecting opposite end of the pin when the handle is swung forward for operating the shear to cut the strap.

8. A tensioning and cutting tool for flexible binding straps, comprising a base adapted to rest against an object to be bound, a gripper supported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a Windlass supported by the base for winding up the other end of the strap to tension it, a ratchet wheel for turning the Windlass, an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle for turning the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung forward, a check pawl supported by said base for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of the Windlass and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to the Windlass, an abutment movably supported by said handle and normally disposed in retracted position relative thereto, manually operable means for withdrawing said actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel after the strap has been tensioned and for projecting said abutment laterally from said handle, a pivotally mounted lever in the path of said projecting abutment when the handle is swung forward, said lever being adapted to be swung forward by said abutment, and means actuated by said ever for operating the shear to cut the strap.

9. A tensioning and cutting tool for flexible binding straps, comprising a base adapted to rest against an object to be bound, a gripper supported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a Windlass supported by the base for winding up the other end of the strap to tension it, a ratchet wheel for turning the Windlass, an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle for turning the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung forward, a check pawl supported by said base for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of the Windlass and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to the Windlass, said shear including a movable blade, an abutment movably supported by said handle and normally disposed in retracted position relative thereto, manually operable means for withdrawing said actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel after the strap has been tensioned and for projecting said abutment laterally from said handle, a pivotally mounted cam for forcing said blade through the strap to cut it, and a lever for turning the cam, said lever being in the path of said projecting abutment when the handle is swung forward and being adapted to be swung forward by the abutment.

10. A tensioning and cutting tool for flexible binding straps, comprising a base adapted to rest against an object to be bound, a gripper supported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a Windlass supported by the base for winding up the other end of the strap to tension it, a ratchet wheel for turning the windlass, an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle forturning the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung forward, a check pawl supported by said base for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of the Windlass and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to the Windlass, a shaft rotatably mounted transversely in said handle and projecting from one side of it, the shaft having a cam portion engaging said actuating pawl, a knob rigidly mounted on th projecting end of the shaft for turning it to withdraw the actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel after the strap has been tensioned, the inner surface of said knob being provided with a cam surface, a pin slidably mounted in the handle beside said shaft, a spring urging one end of the pin against said cam surface, whereby when the knob is turned to withdraw the actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel said cam surface will slide the opposite end of the pin out of th opposite side of the handle, said shear including a movable blade, a pivotally mounted cam for forcing the blade through the strap to cut it, and a lever for turning the cam, said lever being in the path of said projecting opposite end of the pin when the handle is swung forward and being adapted to be swung forward by the pin.

11. A tensioning and cutting tool for flexible binding straps, comprising a base adapted to rest against an object to be bound, a gripper supported by the base and adapted to anchor one end of a binding strap extending around said object, a rotatable member supported by the base for putting the other end of the strap under tension, a ratchet wheel for turning said member,

10 an oscillatable operating handle, an actuating pawl carried by said handle for turning the ratchet wheel when the handle is swung forward, a pivoted check pawl supported by said base on a horizontal axis beneath the handle for preventing reverse rotation of the ratchet wheel, a shear supported by the base in front of said rotatable member and adapted to straddle the end portion of the strap attached to said member, an abutment movably supported by said handle and normally disposed in retracted position relative thereto, manually operable means for withdrawing said actuating pawl from the ratchet wheel after the strap has been tensioned and for projecting said abutment laterally from said handle, the handle being adapted to be pressed down against the rear end of the check pawl to disengage its front end from the ratchet wheel, and means engaged and actuated by said projecting abutment when the handle is swung forward for operating the shear to out the strap.

JACK W. DUNTBAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,662,268 Howe Mar. 13, 1928 2,146,014 Adamson Feb, 7, 1939 2,156,062 Porter Apr. 25, 1939 2,368,969 Cleveland Feb. 6, 1945 

